My entry to the first POB photocontest from @friendlymoose
Ah, what a feeling!
Oh, how nice! Doesn't it look great when you are happy in the spring that the long gloomy cold winter has left the country again. And you see the first daisies emerging again in the grass. Their brightly colored white and yellow flowers raise their heads in the greening grass. Nature coming back to life. Even the flies, which you hate in the summer, are warming themselves in the early morning sun … and such a natural picture can not be missed.
Well, that was a bit of personal reason why this photo was taken, and what the reason is that I share it for this contest. But of course there is also more than enough to tell about the Daisy in the photo. The fly is just a visual bonus that made it a more interesting picture. Right?
They don't love the Tropics
So what can be said about this Daisy? Well, that you can find them all over the world, for example? Okay, except the tropics, because they think it's really too hot there. But everywhere in the rest of the world you can encounter this cheerful flower. And not just in the spring/summer season. No, they actually bloom all year round. Except when it's really freezing. Then, even the Daisies don't stick their heads above the grass. But as long as it doesn't freeze, you can see them blooming all year round in most places on the globe. In short, one of the most common flowers. But does that make the Daisy 'ordinary'. Hmm, no. I don't think so. Because this lovely flower has some very nice properties and a long track record.
Mythology/History
In Norse mythology, the daisy is dedicated to Freya, the goddess of love and fertility.
Among the Celts, the daisy is dedicated to Saint Margaret and belonged to the common people as the "flower of the patron saint of farmers".
In Christian times the flower was an "attribute of the Mother of God.
The daisy is a symbol of the goddess Ishtar and is therefore often seen on the Ishtar Gate, an ancient city gate of Babylon from 575 BC.
The French King Louis IX (1214-1270) included the daisy in his coat of arms along with the lily.
Those are some impressive facts from the history of the Daisy. Do you think it's less 'ordinary' now? Then sit back and relax, because the Daisy also has a few things to add in terms of medicinal properties.
Medical use
The daisy used to be associated with war. The flowers bloomed profusely on the battlefields and were gratefully used to staunch bleeding wounds.
Since the 15th century, the daisy has been known for its medicinal properties. The crushed flowers and fresh leaves relieve the pain of sprains and bruises. The Crusaders took dried daisies with them to treat their wounds. In veterinary medicine it was used for skin lesions, skin inflammation, bumps, and swellings.
Especially in the Middle Ages, the daisy, was highly regarded for its healing effect. It was used as a remedy for tired limbs, gout growths, gout, painful hips and as a diuretic.
As a medicinal herb it has fallen into disuse, in homeopathy it is still current.
In homeopathy, a tincture of the flowering plant is used because of its activating effect on the muscles in the vascular walls. It is used for bruises, bruises and bruising.
Fresh leaves can be chewed if you suffer from canker sores and mouth infections.
Traditional use of the Daisy
Eating daisies regularly can offer a solution for vulnerable and listless children. They become active again. The fact that daisies contain the important mineral magnesium can play a part in this.
Traditional uses of daisy include using the petals to treat wounds, especially fresh wounds. You can make the leaves into an ointment and put it on the wound. If you have a wound, you can chew the leaves somewhere in the middle of nature so that you make a puree which you apply to the wound. Chewing the leaves for long periods of time can help with mouth ulcers.
The flowers are often dried for medicinal use. These can be made as a tea to help with inflammation of the stomach mucosa, rheumatic problems, arthritis, liver and kidney disorders and as a purifying agent for the blood. An infusion of the root is used for eczema, respiratory problems, rheumatic pains and heavy menstruation.
Active ingredient
Saponin, essential oil, mucilage, bitter substance, organic acids.
Characteristics
Strengthening, blood purifying, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, wound healing, diaphoretic and it is a magent that promotes the coughing up of mucus.
Daisy wine recipes
* Against bruises, stiffness in the neck and all kinds of winter ailments:
Pour 1 liter of white wine on 50 g of daisy flowers. Let this steep for 4 weeks. Strain and store in a dark glass bottle.
**Use this wine as a compress.**
* Against bronchitis:
Boil 20 grams of dried flour and leaves for 5 minutes in 1 liter of wine. Strain the mixture and store in a dark glass bottle.
**Drink 2 cups of this every day.**
Now that we already know that there are some wine recipes for the Daisy. By now you have probably also thought that the Daisy can also be eaten. And yes, you came up with that right! The daisy is excellent to use in the kitchen.
Eating Daisies
The buds of daisies can be pickled in vinegar so that you can make your own capers. Boil vinegar with some peppercorns and chopped onion and pour it over the daisy buds. The buds have a nutty flavor.
The leaves can be prepared in a salad, just like the flowers. You can also put them on the cheese sandwich. The daisy flowers are ideal in a flower salad.
You can also use the parts of this plant as an extra ingredient in a smoothie. The leaves can be cooked in soup or a stew. Collect some daisy leaves and put them in a rice that you are frying at the last minute.
Enjoy and be grateful for our nature
I hope that from now on you all enjoy what nature has to offer us as much as I do. Because besides being beautiful, **nature** is also extremely useful and actually **offers us everything we need**.